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Standardizing clinical practices through the use of “bundles” of preventive measures has been shown to be highly effective in reducing rates of central line–associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units. After their institution was found to have a high incidence of surgical-site infections (SSIs) following colorectal surgery, clinical staff created and implemented a bundle of preoperative, operative, and postoperative measures to reduce infection risk.
To assess the clinical and economic effectiveness of their approach, the staff used data collected for the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, together with information on variable direct costs from the institution's finance department, from …